Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/579

 Rai Bahadur S. Ramaswami Mudalliar and the Rev.W.T.Satthianadhan, who have gone from amongst us in the last few weeks. The former was a distinguished student of this University, and a helpful counsellor in its affairs. He was a warm but judicious and moderate advocate of political progress, and thus afforded an excellent model to you of how you can conduct your-selves loyally and yet independently in public matters. Mr. Satthianadhan, who was among the first students to matriculate in this University, has left to the Native Christians of Madras a beautiful example of simplicity of life, of pastoral efficiency and of devotion; and he has shown to you that a change in faith does not involve the abandonment of what is best in your native traditions and feelings. Gentlemen, I have asked you to commemorate these worthies because I feel that it is as true of corporations as of individuals that "he who lacks time to mourn, lacks time to mend" — that

We reject one means towards leading worthy lives as members of this great corporation if we fail to meditate upon our honoured dead. Would that in this grand hall we had fitting memorials on canvas and in marble of those who being members of the University did yeoman's work in their day for the people, more especially in that branch of national life of which this University is the highest expression and exponent—that thus the immortal dead might live again

Gentlemen, having reminded you of the dead whose memory does you honour, I would now briefly trace to you the history of the University to which you have just been admitted as members.

You have promised to conduct yourselves in your daily life and conversation "as becomes members of the same," and I would have you learn to feel an honourable pride in being such, recognising the potentialities of the organisation to which you henceforth belong, and understanding your duty in connection with the progress of your country through educational means.

This University is but new. It has no antiquity to endow it with a wealth of venerable associations "dear and gracious"—associations which might mellow what is young and crude blending with it that which is beautiful and good in the past. Its life does not